Atharva Veda

The Hymns of the Atharvaveda

Translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith

BOOK II

HYMN I

Invitation to, and praise of Indra

1

Indra, be gracious, drive thou forth, come, Hero, with thy two bay steeds.
Taste the libation, hither, enjoying meath and the hymn, come, fair, to the banquet.

2

O Indra, even as one athirst, fill thee with meath as twere from heaven.
Sweet-toned, the raptures of this juice have come to thee as to the light.

3

Swift-conquering Indra, Mitra like, smote, as a Yati, Vritra dead.
Like Bhrigu he cleft Vala through, and quelled his foes in Soma's rapturous joy.

4

O Indra, let the juices enter thee. Fill full thy belly, sate thee, mighty one! Let the hymn bring thee.
Hear thou my call, accept the song I sing, here, Indra, with thy friends enjoy thyself, to height of rapture.

5

Now will I tell the manly deeds of Indra, the first that he achieved, the thunder-wielder.
 He slew the Dragon, then disclosed the waters, and cleft the channels of the mountain torrents.

6

He slew the Dragon lying on the mountain: his heavenly bolt of thunder Tvashtar fashioned.
Like lowing kine in rapid flow descending the waters glided downward to the ocean.

7

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